Information signal recording/reproducing system, information signal recording device, information signal reproducing device and information signal recording/reproducing process

ABSTRACT

When digital image signals fed in through an input terminal are to be recorded on a disc, medium-related information, such as a serial number recorded in a table of contents of the disc, is read from the disc and is spectrum-spread in a spectrum spreading additional information generating section and then the digital image signals on which the spectrum-spread medium-related information has been superimposed in a spectrum spreading additional information superimposing section are recorded on the disc. When the signals are to be reproduced, the reproduction can be performed only if the medium-related information superimposed on the image signals recorded on the disc is consistent with the medium-related information of the disc on which the image signals are recorded. Thus, copying of the information signals can be limited to copying for private use.

This is a division of prior application Ser. No. 09/131,095 filed Aug.7, 1998.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a recording/reproducing system and arecording/reproducing process for adding additional information toinformation signals, such as image signals, and recording the resultantsignals on a recording medium, and for, in reproduction, picking up theadditional information added to the information signals and thenperforming control for reproduction; and a recording device and areproducing device for use in the aforementioned system and process.

2. Description of Related Art

Recently, there have been provided many reproducing devices such as adigital VTR and a reproducing device for a DVD (Digital Video Disc), andsoftwares which can be reproduced by use of these devices. Digitizedimage signals and sound signals have been easily reproduced at home sothat images with good image quality can be watched and sounds with goodsound quality can be listened to.

Furthermore, there have been also provided abundant image signals andsound signals, or programs through Internet and recording media such asa CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), and the digitized softwares providedthrough Internet and the recording media such as a CD-ROM have beenwidely used in a personal computer or the like.

However, it is feared that the softwares such as digital image signalsprovided abundantly in such a manner as above are copied without anyrestriction. Hitherto, therefore, various copy preventing methods havebeen adopted to prevent illegal copying of information signals such asimage signals and sound signals.

As one of the copy preventing methods, there is known a copy limitingsystem over plural generations called CGMS (copy generation managementsystem) In this system, 3-stage classified copy control information, i.e., information that copying is free, that copying is allowable for thefirst generation, or that any copying is prohibited is embedded on aninformation signal. For example, in the case wherein copying is free,wherein copying is allowable for the first generation, or wherein anycopying is prohibited, 2-bit copy control information of “00”. “10” or“11” is embedded in the information signal, respectively. However, inthe case wherein any copying is prohibited, the copy control informationis not embedded in the information signal.

When the information signal is copied on a recording medium, the copycontrol information embedded in the information signal according to theCDMS is detected, and then the copy control is performed in accordancewith the detected copy control information. In this case, if any copycontrolling signal is not detected, the information signal cannot becopied. This is because in the case wherein any copying is prohibited,any copy control information is not embedded.

As described above, control can be performed not only forcopying-prohibition or copying-allowance, but also for copying-allowanceonly for the first generation. Thus, flexible copy preventing controlhas been able to be performed.

In the case wherein copy preventing control is performed according tothe CGMS, however, suppliers of information signals have a desire thatcopying of the information signals is limited to copying by anindividual, for example, at home, i.e., copying for private use even ifthe copy controlling information that copying is free or that copying isallowable for the first generation is added to the information signal.

In other words, there are no problems in the case wherein an individualcopies the information signal on a recording medium at home and then theindividual uses the copied information signal; however, it is notpreferred for the suppliers of information signals that even informationsignals the copying of which is allowable are copied many times so thatthe copied information signals will spread widely to the public.

In order to prevent such spread of copied information signals, it isconsidered that the suppliers of information signals, in supplying thesignals, more frequently add the copy control information that anycopying is prohibited to the information signals for supply, or that thecost for supplying information signals becomes expensive. This case isnot preferable since copying for private use is also limited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the light of the above, an object of the present invention is toprovide an information signal recording/reproducing system and aninformation signal recording/reproducing process for making it possibleto limit even the information signal the copying of which is allowableto be copied for private use; and recording and reproducing devices foruse in this system and this method.

The present invention is an information signal recording/reproducingsystem, using a recording medium having thereon an area which isdifferent from an area for recording information signals and whichmedium-related information, which is information on the recordingmedium, is beforehand recorded in, or having a section accompanying therecording medium in which the medium-related information is beforehandrecorded; and comprising a recording device section for recording theinformation signals on the recording medium and a reproducing devicesection for reproducing the information signals recorded on therecording medium;

the recording device section comprising:

recording-side medium-related information reading means for reading themedium-related information from the recording medium, or from thesection accompanying the recording medium;

information adding means for adding the medium-related information readby means of the recording-side medium-related information reading meansto the information signals; and

recording means for recording the information signals to which themedium-related information is added by means of the information addingmeans on the recording medium;

the reproducing device section comprising:

reproducing-side medium-related information reading means for readingthe recording medium, or from the section accompanying the recordingmedium;

information signal reading means for reading the information signalsfrom the recording medium;

detecting means for detecting the medium-related information added tothe information signals from the information signal reading means;

determining means for determining whether or not the medium-relatedinformation from the reproducing-side medium-related information readingmeans is consistent with the medium-related information from thedetecting means; and

reproduction controlling means for carrying out control for reproducingthe information signals only when the medium-related information fromthe reproducing-side medium-related information reading means isconsistent with the medium-related information from the detecting means.

According to the information signal recording/reproducing system of thepresent invention, when information signals attempt to be recorded, themedium-related information is read from the recording medium on whichthe information signals are recorded or from the section accompanyingthe recording medium by means of the recording-side medium-relatedinformation reading means. The read medium-related information is addedto the information signals by means of the information adding means, andthen the information signals to which the medium-related information isadded are recorded on the recording medium. The medium-relatedinformation is, for example, information intrinsic to every recordingmedium, and is, in the case of the recording medium is a disc, a serialnumber recorded in a TOC (Table Of Content) of the disc.

When the information signals recorded on the recording medium arereproduced, the medium-related information of the recording medium isread from the recording medium to be reproduced or the sectionaccompanying the recording medium by means of the reproducing-sidemedium-related information reading means. The medium-related informationadded to the information signals to be reproduced is detected by meansof the detecting means.

The information signals are reproduced when the medium-relatedinformation read by means of the reproducing-side medium-relatedinformation reading means is consistent with the medium-relatedinformation detected from the information signals by means of thedetecting means.

In short, when recording process is performed in an ordinary manner, themedium-related information added to the information signals isconsistent with the medium-related information of the recording mediumon which the information signals are recorded. However, when copying iscarried out in other manner, for example, when the whole of theinformation recorded on the recording medium, as it is, is copied onanother recording medium, the medium-related information of therecording medium is not consistent with the medium-related informationof the information signals recorded on this.

Therefore, when the medium-related information added to the informationsignals is consistent with the medium-related information of therecording medium on which the information signals are recorded asdescribed above, the information signals are decided to be informationsignals copied for private use in an ordinary manner and then arereproduced. On the contrary, when the medium-related information addedto the information signals is not consistent with the medium-relatedinformation of the recording medium on which the information signals arerecorded, the information signals are decided to be information signalscopied in other manner than the ordinary manner and then are notreproduced.

Thus, the information signals copied in the ordinary manner by means ofthe recording device section can be reproduced without any problem.However, the information signals copied in other manner than theordinary manner cannot be reproduced. Accordingly, it is possible toprevent copying of the information signals for other purposes thanprivate use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining an embodiment of theinformation signal recording device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining a timing generator in therecording device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining an SS additional informationgenerator in the recording device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining an example of a PN codegenerator in a portion in the device shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 5A to 5D are diagrams showing relationships between the SSadditional information and information signals.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining an embodiment of theinformation signal reproducing device according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the action of therecording device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the action of thereproducing device shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram for explaining other embodiment (using deviceintrinsic information) of the information signal recording deviceaccording to the invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram for explaining other embodiment (using deviceintrinsic information) of the information signal reproducing deviceaccording to the invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram for explaining other embodiment (using an ICcard memory) of the information signal recording device according to theinvention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram for explaining other embodiment (using an ICcard memory) of the information signal reproducing device according tothe invention.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram for explaining other embodiment (usingenciphered medium intrinsic information) of the information signalrecording device according to the invention.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram for explaining another embodiment (usingenciphered medium intrinsic information) of the information signalreproducing device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below,referring to the attached drawings.

The First Embodiment

In the first embodiment, an information signal recording device 10,which is referred to as a recording device hereinafter, shown in FIG. 1is a device for receiving digital information signals provided through anetwork such as Internet and then recording them on a recording medium.

An information signal reproducing device 20, which is referred to as areproducing device hereinafter, shown in FIG. 6 is a device forreproducing information signals recorded on the recording medium and,for example, displaying reproduced images on a display or transmittingthem to other communication devices through a network such as Internet.

In short, the recording device 10 and the reproducing device 20 aredevices such as a personal computer which can transmit and receiveinformation signals through a network such as Internet, and therecording device 10 corresponds to a recording system in a device suchas a personal computer, and the reproducing device 20 corresponds to areproducing system in the same device.

When information signals are recorded on a recording medium, informationintrinsic to the individual medium (medium intrinsic information) isadded, as information related to the recording medium on which theinformation signals are to be recorded, to the information signals andthen the resultant information signals are recorded on the recordingmedium, which will be in detail described later. In the case wherein theinformation signals recorded on the recording medium attempt to bereproduced, the signals are reproduced only when the aforementionedmedium intrinsic information added to the information signals to bereproduced is consistent with the medium intrinsic information which therecording medium on which the information signals to be reproduced arerecorded has.

In other words, when an individual user uses the recording device 10which will be explained below so as to copy the information signals inan ordinary manner for private use, the medium intrinsic informationadded to the copied information signals will be made consistent with themedium intrinsic information which the recording medium on which theinformation signals are recorded has.

In the case wherein for every recording medium on which the informationsignals are to be recorded the medium intrinsic information of themedium is not added to the information signals to be recorded, but inthe case wherein the same information signals are copied on manyrecording media, for example, by copying the information signalsrecorded on a single recording medium onto other recording media, themedium intrinsic information which is added to the information signalsand which will be consistent in the case of copying in an ordinarymanner is not consistent with the medium intrinsic information which therecording medium on which the information signals are recorded has. Inthis case, therefore, reproduction is prohibited, and illegally copyingof the information signals in a manner different from the ordinarymanner is prohibited.

Recording Device 10

The recording device 10 in the first embodiment will be firstlydescribed.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the recording device 10 in thefirst embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the recording device 10 has aninput terminal 11 for inputting information signals, a copy preventingcontrol information-detecting section 12, a timing generator 13, an SSadditional information generator 14 (The SS is an abbreviation of spreadspectrum, which is the same hereinafter.), an SS additional informationsuperimposing section 15, a writing section 16, a medium intrinsicinformation reading section 17, and a system controller 200 forcontrolling the respective sections in the recording device 10.

A recording medium 100 is a medium on which various digital informationsignals such as digital image signals, digital sound signals andprograms are recorded by this recording device 10, including discs suchas a CD-ROM and a DVD. In the following, for simplifying explanationinformation signals which are supplied to the recording device 10through the input terminal 11 for inputting information signals and arerecorded on the disc 100 are digital image signals.

The digital image signals S1 supplied to the recording device 10 aresignals to which copy preventing control information called CGMS (copygeneration management system) is inserted and added. The copy preventingcontrol information called the CGMS is, for example, 2-bit informationrepresenting the content of copy control for the digital image signalsS1, such as allowance of copying, prohibition of copying, or copyinggeneration restriction.

When the disc 100 for recording information signals is set into therecording device 10 and a user gives an instruction for starting recordof image signals through an operation key section 201 connected to thesystem controller 200, the controller 200 controls the respectivesections in the recording device 100 so as to start the recordingprocess for recording the supplied information signals onto the disc 10.

Digital image signals S1 transmitted from a network such as Internet andreceived by the recording device 10 are supplied to the copy preventingcontrol information detecting section 12, the timing generator 13 andthe SS additional information superimposing section 15 in the recordingdevice 100.

The copy preventing control information detecting section 12 detects thecopy preventing control information according to the CGMS which is addedto the supplied digital image signals S1, and then communicates thedetected copy preventing control information to the system controller200.

When the information from the copy preventing control informationdetecting section 12 shows that any copying is prohibited, the systemcontroller 200 controls the respective sections not to record thedigital image signals S1. When the information from the copy preventingcontrol information detecting section 12 shows that copying isallowable, the system controller 200 controls the respective sections inthe device 10 to record the digital image signals S1 on the recordingmedium 100.

When the digital image signals S1 can be copied, the medium intrinsicinformation reading section 17 reads a serial number intrinsic to everydisc recorded in, for example, a TOC (Table Of Contents) of the disc100, and supplies this as medium intrinsic information B1 to the SSadditional information generator 14.

The reference timing generator 13 detects reference timing signals fromthe supplied digital image signals S1 and then generates timing signalsTM and clock signals CLK used in the respective sections in therecording device 100 on the basis of the detected reference timingsignals.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the timing generator 13 in therecording device 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the timing generator 13 has areference timing detecting section 131, a PLL circuit 132 and a timingsignal generator 133.

The timing detecting section 131 extracts synchronous signals DK as thereference timing signals from the digital image signals S1 supplied tothe section 131, and then supplies the signals to the PLL circuit 132and the timing signal generator 133.

The PLL circuit 132 generates clock signals CLK synchronized with thedigital image signals S1 on the basis of the synchronous signals DK fromthe reference timing detecting section 131. The clock signals CLK aresupplied not only to the timing signal generator 133 but also to therespective sections using the clock signals CLK such as the SSadditional information generator 14 which will be in detail describedlater.

The timing signal generator 133 generates timing signals TM for use inthe SS additional information generator 14 and other various timingsignals on the basis of the synchronous signals DK from the referencetiming detecting section 131 and the clock signals CLK from the PLLcircuit 131.

The timing signals TM generated in the timing signal generator 133 aresynchronized with the synchronous DS from the reference timing detectingsection 131, and are used as reset (initializing) signals for takingtiming for generating a PN code series having a predetermined codepattern used for spectrum-spreading from the head of the code series, inthe SS additional information generator 14.

When, for example, vertical synchronizing signals are extracted asreference timing signals in the reference timing detecting section 131in the timing generator 13, the clock signals CLK synchronized with thevertical synchronizing signals from the reference timing detectingsection 131 are generated in the PLL circuit 132.

In the timing signal generator 133, on the basis of the verticalsynchronizing signals from the reference timing detecting section 131and the clock signals CLK from the PLL circuit 132, timing signals TMsynchronized with the vertical synchronizing signals used as referencetiming signals are generated, so as to make one field correspond to onecycle.

As shown in FIG. 1, the timing signals TM and the clock signals CLK thusgenerated in the timing generator 13 are supplied to the SS additionalinformation generator 14.

The SS additional information generator 14 receives the supply of themedium intrinsic information B1, the timing signals TM and the clocksignals CLK and then generates SS medium intrinsic information (SSadditional information) SB1, which is a spread spectrum signal of themedium intrinsic information B1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the SS additional informationgenerator 14. As shown in FIG. 3, the SS additional informationgenerator 14 comprises a PN (Pseudorandam Noise) code generator 141 anda multiplier 142.

The PN code generator 141 generates a PN code series PS, on the basis ofthe timing signals TM and the clock signal as CLK. Specifically, atevery timing that the timing signal TM is supplied, the PN codegenerator 141 generates the PN code series PS from its head, insynchronization with the clock signals CLK, and then supplies this tothe multifier 142.

Into the multifier 142, supplied are medium intrinsic information rowsB1R which are generated by outputting medium intrinsic information B1from the medium intrinsic information reading section 12 in such amanner that bits corresponding to the predetermined number of clocks areoutputted in synchronization with the clock signals CLK at every timinggiven by the timing signal TM.

In the multifier 142, the PN code series PS are multiplied by the mediumintrinsic information rows B1R, so as to generate spread spectrumsignals (SS medium intrinsic information), which are spectrum-spreadmedium intrinsic information.

As described above, the SS additional information generator 14 has afunction as a spreading means for making medium intrinsic information B1having a narrow band and a high level into SS medium intrinsicinformation SB1 having a wide and a low lever by using the PN codeseries PS to spectrum-spread the medium intrinsic information B1. Thiswill be in detail described later.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a structural example of the PN codegenerator 141 shown in FIG. 3. The PN code generator 141 of this examplecomprises D flip-flop circuits REG1-REG12 constituting 12 steps of siftresistors, and Exclusive-OR circuits EX-OR1-EX-OR3 for calculatingappropriate tap outputs from the sift resistors. The PN code generator141 shown in FIG. 4 generates PN code series PS in the M (Maximum)length sequence on the basis of the timing signals TM and the clocksignals CLK, as described above.

Enable signals EN in FIG. 4 are signals for falling the PN cordgenerator 141 into an operating state. In the first embodiment, theenable signals are generated, for example, by switching on the recordingdevice 10 shown in FIG. 1, and then supplied to the PN cord generator141.

The SS medium intrinsic information SB1 thus obtained from the SSadditional information generator 14 is supplied to the SS additionalinformation superimposing section 15.

The signal superimposing section 15 receives the supply of the digitalimage signals S1 and the digital SS medium intrinsic information SB1,and then generates digital image signals S2 on which the SS mediumintrinsic information SB1 as a digital signal is superimposed.

When the digital image signals S1 are composed of, for example, a 10bit-source, in which an image of 1 pixel is represented by 10-bitsignals, the SS medium intrinsic information SB1 is superimposed on theleast significant bit (LSD) in the 10-bit digital image signals, or theninth bit adjacent to the LSD in the SS additional informationsuperimposing section 15. In this manner, the SS additional informationsuperimposing section 15 causes the SS medium intrinsic information SB1to be superimposed on the digital image signal S1 within the same timeand the same frequency.

In this case, the SS additional information superimposing section 15causes the SS medium intrinsic information SB1 to be superimposed on thedigital image signals S1 at a lower signal electric power than thedynamic range of the digital image signals S1, so that the digital imagesignals S1 will not be deteriorated by the SS medium intrinsicinformation SB1. The digital image signals S2 thus formed bysuperimposing the SS medium intrinsic information SB1 on the digitalimage signals S1 in the SS additional information superimposing section15 are supplied to the writing section 16.

The writing section 16 receives the supply of the digital image signalsS2 on which the digital SS medium intrinsic information SB1 issuperimposed, converts this into digital image signals suitable forwriting, and then permits the digital image signals for writing to berecorded on the recording medium 100.

As will be in detail described below, the SS medium intrinsicinformation SB1 superimposed on the digital image signals recorded onthe recording medium 100 is spectrum-spread, and consequentlyreproduction images based on the digital image signals are notdeteriorated, and not altered nor erased.

FIGS. 5A to 5D are diagrams of spectrums showing the relationshipbetween information signals, in particular image signals in the presentexample, and additional information, such as medium intrinsicinformation, added to the information signals. The additionalinformation includes a small deal of information, and is low-bitinformation and narrow band-information as shown in FIG. 5A. This issubjected to spectrum-spreading, resulting in wide band-information asshown in FIG. 5B. At this time, the spectrum-spread signal level becomeslower in inverse proportion to the expansion rate of the band.

These spread spectrum signals, that is, pieces of the SS mediumintrinsic information SB1, are superimposed on the information signalson the SS additional information superimposing section 15. In this case,as shown in FIG. 5C, the SS medium intrinsic information SB1 issuperimposed at a level lower than the dynamic range of the imagesignals as the information signals. By such superimposing, theinformation signals are hardly deteriorated. Thus, when the imagesignals on which the SS medium intrinsic information SB1 is superimposedare supplied to a monitoring device, good images are reproduced withoutsubstantial influence of the SS medium intrinsic information SB1.

However, when inverse spectrum-spreading is performed in such a manneras will be in detail described later so as to detect the SS mediumintrinsic information SB1 as additional information at a recording side,the SS medium intrinsic information SB1 is again restored to a narrowband signal (additional information) as shown in FIG. 5D. By giving asufficient band spreading rate, the electric power of the copy controlinformation after being inverse-spread-spread becomes more than that ofthe information signals, so that the SB1 can be detected.

In this case, the SS medium intrinsic information SB1 superimposed onthe image signals cannot be erased nor altered by any frequency filteror simple replacement of information, since the information SB1 issuperimposed within the same time and frequency as those of the imagesignals.

As described above, the SS medium intrinsic information SB1 superimposedon the digital image signals is spectrum-spread and superimposed as wideband and low level signals, and consequently the information SB1 doesnot cause image signals reproduced from the digital image signals to bedeteriorated.

Since the SS medium intrinsic information SB1 is superimposed on thedigital image signals within the same time and frequency, the newlyadditional image signals cannot be erased nor altered by any frequencyfilter or replacement of information signals.

As described above, the spectrum-spread medium intrinsic information issuperimposed on the digital image signals within the same time andfrequency; therefore, even if the digital image signals on which thespectrum-spread additional information is superimposed are D/A-convertedinto analog signals, they are never erased.

When the supplied digital signals are recorded on the disc in therecording device 10, a serial number which is recorded on the TOC andwhich is information intrinsic for every disc is spectrum-spread asmedium intrinsic information and then this is superimposed on thedigital image signals S1 to be recorded, as described above. The digitalimage signals S2 on which the spectrum-spread medium intrinsicinformation is superimposed are recorded on the disc 100.

In short, the recording device 10 in the present embodiment makes itpossible to spectrum-spread the medium intrinsic information,superimpose it on the digital image signals to be recorded on the disc100, and then record it on the recording medium, without the digitalimage signals recorded on the disc 100 being deteriorated nor the mediumintrinsic information superimposed on the digital image signals beingaltered.

When this recording device 10 is used to record the information signalsin an ordinary manner, the spectrum-spread medium intrinsic informationfor superimposition on the image signals is made consistent with themedium intrinsic information of the recording medium on which the imagesignals are to be recorded.

Reproducing Device 20

The following will describe the reproducing device 20.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining the reproducing device 20. Asshown in FIG. 6, the reproducing device 20 has a reading section 21, amedium intrinsic information reading section 22, an SS additionalinformation detecting section 23, a timing generator 24, a reproductionallowance/prohibition determining section 25, a reproduction processingsection 26, an indicative information generator 27, an LCD (LiquidCrystal Display) driver 28, an LCD 29, an information signal erasingsection 31, and a system controller for controlling the respectivesections in the producing device 20.

The reproducing device 20 is a device for reproducing and outputting thedigital image signals recorded on the disc 100 by the aforementionedrecording device 10. Namely, the reproducing device 20 is a device forreproducing the digital image signals on which the spectrum-spreadmedium intrinsic information is superimposed.

When an instruction is given for starting reproducing the image signalsrecorded on the disc 100 set by a user through an operation they section201 connected to the system controller 200 in the reproducing device 20,the system controller 200 controls the respective sections in thereproducing device 20 so as to start reproducing process.

The reading section 21 in the reproducing device 20 generates digitalregenerative image signals S12 from signals S11 obtained by reproducingthe information signals recorded on the disc 100, and then supplies themto the SS additional information detecting section 23, the timinggenerator 24 and the reproduction processing section 26.

The timing generator 24 has the same structure as the aforementionedtiming generator 13, referring to FIG. 2, and generates timing signalsTM and clock signals CLK for use in the respective sections in thereproducing device 20. Therefore, the timing generator 24 will bedescribed, as the structure shown in FIG. 2.

The reference timing detecting section 131 in the timing generator 24extracts synchronous signals DK as reference timing signals from thedigital image signals S12 supplied to the section 131. The synchronoussignals DK are supplied to the PLL circuit 132 and the timing signalgenerator 133.

The PLL circuit 132 generates clock signals CLK synchronized with thedigital image signals S12, on the basis of the synchronous signals DKfrom the reference timing detecting section 131, and supplies them tothe respective sections, for example, the timing signal generator 133and the SS additional information detecting section 23 which will be indetail described later.

The timing signal generator 133 generates and outputs timing signals TMand other various timing signals for use in the respective sections, forexample, the SS additional information reading section 22 and the SSadditional information generator 25, on the basis of the synchronoussignals DK from the reference timing detecting section 131 and the clocksignals CLK from the PLL circuit 132.

In the reproducing device 20, the timing signals TM and the clocksignals CLK give the same timing as the timing signals TM and the clocksignals CLK used in the aforementioned recording device 10.

As shown in FIG. 6, the timing signals TM and the clock signals CLK thusgenerated in the timing generator 24 are supplied to the SS additionalinformation detecting section 23.

The SS additional information detecting section 23 carries out inversespectrum-spreading to extract the medium intrinsic information B1 whichis spectrum-spread and superimposed on the digital regenerative imagesignals S12, and then supplies this to the reproductionallowance/prohibition determining section 25.

Specifically, the SS additional information detecting section 23 has aPN code generator and a multiplier not illustrated, and generates a PNcode series for inverse-spreading having the same code patter as the PNcode series for spectrum-spreading the medium intrinsic information B1which is spectrum-spread and superimposed on the digital image signalsS12, with their generating timing being consistent, on the basis of thetiming signals TM and the clock signals CLK from the aforementionedtiming generator 24. The section 23 carries out the inversespectrum-spreading by using the PN code series for inverse-spreading sothat the medium intrinsic information B1 superimposed on the digitalregenerative signal component S12 will be extracted from the signalcomponent S12.

On the contrary, the medium intrinsic information reading section 22reads the serial number of the disc 100 recorded in the TOC of the disc100 as medium intrinsic information, in the same manner as the mediumintrinsic information reading section 17 in the recording device 10, andthen supplies this to the reproduction allowance/prohibition determiningsection 25 as the medium intrinsic information B2 of the recordingmedium on which the digital image signals to be reproduced are recorded.

The reproduction allowance/prohibition determining section 25 determineswhether or not the medium intrinsic information B1 superimposed on thedigital image signals which are read from the disc 100 and supplied fromthe SS additional information detecting section 23 is consistent withthe medium intrinsic information B2 of the disc 100 which is read by themedium intrinsic information reading section 22, and then generates acontrol signal CT1 or CT2 according to the determination to supply it tothe reproduction processing section 25 and the indicative informationgenerator 27.

In other words, when the medium intrinsic information B1 from the SSadditional information detecting section 23 is consistent with themedium intrinsic information B2 from the medium intrinsic informationreading section 22, the reproduction allowance/prohibition determiningsection 25 concludes that the image signals recorded on the disc 100 aresignals properly copied in an ordinary manner, and then generates thecontrol signal CT1 for allowance of reproduction so as to supply this tothe reproduction processing section 26.

When the control signal CT1 from the reproduction allowance/prohibitiondetermining section 25 is a signal for allowance of reproduction, thereproduction processing section 26 performs a process for encoding thedigital image signals and the like processes to generate and outputregenerative image signals.

When the reproduction allowance/prohibition determining section 25determines that the medium intrinsic information B1 from the SSadditional information detecting section 23 is not consistent with themedium intrinsic information B2 from the medium intrinsic informationreading section 22, the reproduction allowance/prohibition determiningsection 25 concludes that the image signals recorded on the disc 100 arenot signals properly copied, and then generates the control signal CT1for prohibiting reproduction and supplies this to reproductionprocessing section 26. At the same time, the section 25 generates acontrol signal CT2 for displaying the fact that the digital signalsrecorded on the recording medium 100 cannot be reproduced on the LCD 29and then supplies this to the indicative information generator 27.

In this case, the reproduction processing section 26 does not permit thedigital image signals S12 to be reproduced. The indicative informationgenerator 27 receiving the supply of the control CT2 generates messageinformation that the image signals recorded on the recording medium 100may not be signals copied in an ordinary manner and they cannot bereproduced, so as to display this on the LCD 29 through the LCD driver28.

Furthermore, in this case, the reproduction allowance/prohibitiondetermining section 25 informs the system controller 200 that the mediumintrinsic information B1 from the SS additional information detectingsection 23 is not consistent with the medium intrinsic information B2from the medium intrinsic information reading section 22. Afterreceiving this information, the system controller 200 controls theinformation signal erasing section 31 to erase the information signalsrecorded on the recording medium 100.

The information erasing section 31 makes it impossible to read the imagesignals on which the medium intrinsic information different from themedium intrinsic information of the disc 100 is superimposed. That is,this section 31 is a section for carrying out a so-called logicallyerasing.

Of course, it is possible to initialize the disc 100 so as to erase thewhole of the information signals recorded on the disc 100, or tophysically erase the image signals on which the medium intrinsicinformation different from the medium intrinsic information of the disc100 is superimposed.

Action of the recording device 10 and the reproducing device 20:

The following will describe the flow of action of the aforementionedrecording device 10 and the reproducing device 20, referring toflowcharts shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the action of therecording device 10. The process shown in FIG. 7 is started when, forexample, a user of the recording device 10 carries out the operation forrecording the digital image signals inputted from the inputting terminalfor inputting information signals.

The recording device 10 firstly extracts, from the image signalssupplied through the inputting terminal 11, the copy preventing controlinformation which is added to the image signals (step S1), anddetermines whether or not the supplied image signals can be copied (stepS2). When in the determining step S2 the copy preventing controlinformation indicates that copying is prohibited, this process isfinished without any copying being carried out.

When in the determining step S2 the extracted copy preventing controlinformation indicates that copying of the supplied information signalsis allowable, or allowable for only first generation, the serial numberrecorded in the TOC of the disc 100 on which the image signals are to berecorded is read as the medium intrinsic information (step S3), and theread medium intrinsic information is spectrum-spread (step S4).

The spectrum-spread medium intrinsic information SB1 is thensuperimposed on the image signals recorded on the disc 100 (step S5),and the image signals on which the spectrum-spread medium intrinsicinformation SB1 is superimposed are recorded on the disc 100.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the action of thereproducing device 20. The process shown in FIG. 8 is started when, forexample, a user of the reproducing device 20 carries out the operationfor instructing reproduction of the image signals recorded on the disc100 set into the reproducing device 20.

The reproducing device 20 firstly reads the serial number recorded inthe TOC of the disc 100 on which the image signals to be reproduced arerecorded, as the medium intrinsic information B2, from this disc 100(step S11). The device 20 then detects the medium intrinsic informationB1 spectrum-spread and superimposed on the image signals read from thedisc by inverse spectrum-spreading (step S12), and determines whether ornot the read medium intrinsic information B2 is consistent with themedium intrinsic information B1 superimposed on the image signals (stepS13).

When in the determining step S13 it is determined that the mediumintrinsic information B1 is consistent with the medium intrinsicinformation B2, the reproducing device 20 performs reproduction of theimage signals and reproduces the image signals recorded on the disc 100(step S14).

When in the determining step S13 it is determined that the mediumintrinsic information B1 is not consistent with the medium intrinsicinformation B2, the reproducing device 20 concludes that the imagesignals copied on the disc 100 are not signals copied in an ordinarymanner so that the device 20 does not perform reproduction of the imagesignals and further displays a message that the image signals recordedon the disc cannot be reproduced on the LCD. The device 20 then erasesthe image signals on which the medium intrinsic information B1 differentfrom the medium intrinsic information B2 recorded on the disc 100 (stepS15) is superimposed.

As described above, when the individual user uses the recording device10 to record information signals, such as image signals, which areallowable for copying in an ordinary manner for private use, the mediumintrinsic information B1 superimposed on the information signalsrecorded on the disc is consistent with the medium intrinsic informationwhich the disc on which the information signals are recorded has.However, when the information signals recorded on the disc are notsignals copied in an ordinary manner in the recording device 10, themedium intrinsic information superimposed on the information signalsrecorded on the disc is not consistent with the medium intrinsicinformation which the recording disc on which the information signalsare recorded has. Thus, in the reproducing device 20 reproduction is notcarried out.

Thus, even if the information signals are allowable for copying, normalreproduction can be carried out when the signals are copied in anordinary manner for private use of a user, and further illegal copyingin a manner different from the ordinary manner can be prevented.

The medium intrinsic information superimposed on information signalswhen they are recorded is spectrum-spread and superimposed on theinformation signals; therefore, the information signals are notdeteriorated and further it is also possible to surely pick up themedium intrinsic information properly superimposed and spectrum-spread,without this medium intrinsic information being altered nor taken off,and carry out collation of the two pieces of the medium intrinsicinformation in the manner as described above.

When the medium intrinsic information superimposed on the informationsignals recorded on the disc is not consistent with the medium intrinsicinformation of the disc on which these information signals are recorded,the LCD 29 displays the message that the signals cannot be reproduced.However, the invention is not limited to such an embodiment.

For example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and an LED driver aredisposed to inform that image signals cannot be reproduced, and the LEDmay be turned on, or turned on and off when image signals as informationsignals cannot be reproduced because of inconsistency with theaforementioned two pieces of medium intrinsic information.

An OSD (On Screen Display) may be used to generate a signal fordisplaying a message that image signals to be reproduced cannot bereproduced, instead of the image signals to be reproduced, and outputit.

Of course, superimposing may be used to display a message that normalreproduction cannot be carried out because of inconsistency with theaforementioned two pieces of medium intrinsic information in imagesbased on the image signals to be reproduced. In this case, the messagemay be displayed to conceal a half or more of the area of the imagebased on the image signal to be reproduced, so that what the image to bewatched is can be understood and at the same time the image signalcannot be normally reproduced because of concealment of the image causedby displaying the message.

When the medium intrinsic information superimposed on the informationsignals recorded on the disc is not consistent with the medium intrinsicinformation of the disc on which these information signals are recorded,a sound warning may be given.

In the first embodiment, the image signals on which the medium intrinsicinformation different from the medium intrinsic information of the disc100, which is recorded on the disc 100, is superimposed are erased. Inthis case, however, it is not necessarily erased because the imagesignals are not reproduced.

The Second Embodiment

As will be in detail described later, when information signals arerecorded on a recording medium according to the second embodiment,device intrinsic information which is intrinsic to a recording devicefor recording is added, as information related to the recording device,to the information signals, and then the resultant signals are recordedon a recording medium. As the device intrinsic information, for example,manufacturer's serial number may be used. In the case wherein theinformation signals recorded on the recording medium are reproduced, theinformation signals recorded on the recording medium may be reproducedwhen the device intrinsic information added to the information signalsto be reproduced is consistent with the device intrinsic informationwhich a reproducing device for reproducing these information signalshas.

In other words, the second embodiment makes it possible to reproduceinformation signals only in a recording/reproducing device by which theinformation signals were recorded, and to copy the information signalsonly for private use, which is more restrictive for copying than thefirst embodiment using medium intrinsic information.

In the second embodiment, a recording device 30 or a reproducing devicewhich will be in detail described below is a device such as a personalcomputer which can receive and transmit information signals through anetwork such as Internet, in the same manner as in the first embodiment.The recording device 30 and the reproducing device 40 correspond to arecording system in a device, such as a personal computer, and areproducing system in the same device, respectively.

Therefore, in the recording and reproducing devices 30 and 40 accordingto the second embodiment, the same reference numbers are attached to thesame structures/elements as in the recording and reproducing devices 10and 20 according to the first embodiment, and the explanation thereofwill be made simple. In the same manner as in the first embodiment, arecording disc 100 is a disc such as a CD-ROM or a DVD, and informationsignals to be recorded and reproduced will be described as digital imagesignals.

Recording Device 30

FIG. 9 is a block diagram for explaining the recording device 30 in thesecond embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the recording device 30 has aninputting terminal 11 for inputting information signals, a copypreventing control information detecting section 12, a timing generator13, an SS additional generator 14, an SS additional informationsuperimposing section 15, a writing section 16 and a system controller200 for controlling the respective sections in the recording device 30.

As described above, the recording device 30 has a structure that doesnot comprise the medium intrinsic information reading section 17 whichthe recording device 10 in the first embodiment has.

When a user gives an instruction for starting recording image signalsthrough an operation key section 201 connected to the system controller200, the system controller 200 controls the respective sections in therecording device 30 to start recording the supplied information signalson the disc 100.

In the same manner as in the recording device 10, signal image signalsS1 transmitted through a network such as Internet and received by therecording device 30 are supplied to the copy preventing controlinformation detecting section 12, the timing generator 13 and the SSadditional information superimposing section 15 in the recording device30.

As described above, the copy preventing control information detectingsection 12 detects the copy preventing control information according tothe CGMS added to the supplied digital image signals S1 and informs thesystem control 200 of the detected copy preventing control information.

When the copy preventing control information from the copy preventingcontrol information detecting section 12 indicates that any copying isprohibited, the system controller 200 controls the respective sectionsnot to record the digital image signals S1. When the information fromthe copy preventing control information detecting section 12 indicatesthat copying is allowable, the system controller 200 controls therespective sections in the recording device 30 to record the digitalimage signals S1 on the recording medium 100.

To the system controller 200, a ROM 202 and a RAM 203, as well as theoperation key section 201, are connected. In the ROM 202, programs whichare carried out in the system controller 200, data for variousprocesses, and information such as manufacturer's serial number of therecording device 30 are recorded. The RAM 203 is used as a working area,for example, for storing results obtained in the middle of processing.

The manufacturer's serial number of the recording device 30, recorded onthe ROM 202 which the system controller 200 has is a number intrinsic tothe recording device 30 and is not the same as that of any otherrecording device. As will be in detail described later, therefore, inthe second embodiment the manufacturer's number stored in the ROM 202 isused as device intrinsic information, which is information related tothe device.

In the second embodiment, when the digital image signals S1 supplied tothe recording device 30 are signals which can be copied, the systemcontroller 200 reads device intrinsic information D1 intrinsic to therecording device 30 from the ROM 202, and then supplies the deviceintrinsic formation D1 to the SS additional information generator 14.

As described above with reference to FIG. 2, the timing generator 13detects reference timing signals from the supplied digital image signalsS1, and generates timing signals TM and clock signals CLK for use in therespective sections in the recording device 10 according to the firstembodiment, on the basis of the detected reference timing signals.

Namely, on the basis of the synchronous signals DK extracted from thedigital image signals S1 the timing generator 13 generates timingsignals TM and clock signals CLK in synchronization with the synchronoussignals DK in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

In the SS additional information generator 14, the timing signals TM areused as reset (initializing) signals for giving timing for generating aPN code series from the head of the series, the PN code series having apredetermined code pattern which is used for spectrum-spreading. Theclock signals CLK are used as signals for giving PN code-generatingtiming. As shown in FIG. 9, the timing signals TM and the clock signalsCLK generated in the timing generator 13 are supplied to the SSadditional information generator 14.

The SS additional information generator 14 receives the supply of thedevice intrinsic information D1, the timing signals TM and the clocksignals CLK, and then generates SS device intrinsic information SD1,which is spectrum-spread device intrinsic information D1.

As described above with reference to FIG. 3, the SS additionalinformation generator 14 has the PN code generator 141 and the multifier142. The spread spectrum signals (SS device intrinsic information) SD1,which are spectrum-spread device intrinsic information, are generated bymultiplying a PN code series PS generated, at every timing that thetiming signal TM is supplied, from its head in synchronization with theclock signals CLK, and a device intrinsic information row D1R generated,at every timing that the timing signal TM is supplied, by outputting thedevice intrinsic information D1 in such a manner that bits thereofcorresponding to the predetermined number of clocks are outputted insynchronization with the clock signals CLK. The SD1 is supplied to theSS additional information superimposing section 15.

The SS additional information superimposing section 15 receives thesupply of the digital image signals S1 and the digital SS deviceintrinsic information SD1, and then generates digital image signals S2on which the digital SS device intrinsic information SD1 is superimposedto supply it to the writing section 16. The writing section 16 receivesthe supply of the digital image signals S2 on which the digital SSadditional information SD1 is superimposed and then converts this intorecording digital image signals suitable for recording to write therecording digital image signals on the recording medium 100. Thus, onthe recording medium 100, recorded are the digital image signals onwhich the SS device intrinsic information SD1, which is spectrum-spreaddevice intrinsic information, is superimposed.

As described above, when information signals that are allowable forcopying are copied for private use, in the recording device 30 accordingto the second embodiment, the device intrinsic information isspectrum-spread and superimposed on the information signals to be copiedand subsequently the resultant signals are recorded on the recordingmedium.

Reproducing Device 40

The following will describe the reproducing device 40 according to thesecond embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram for explaining the reproducing device 40. Asshown in FIG. 10, the reproducing device 40 has a reading section 21, anSS additional information detecting section 23, a timing generator 24, areproduction allowance/prohibition determining section 25, areproduction processing section 26, an indicative information generator27, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) driver 28, an LCD 29, and a systemcontroller 200 for controlling the respective sections in thereproducing device 40.

In short, the reproducing device 40 according to the second embodimentdoes not have the medium intrinsic information reading means 22 whichthe reproducing device according to the first embodiment has. Thereproducing device 40 can reproduce and output digital image signalsrecorded on the disc 100 by, for example the aforementioned recordingdevice 30. Namely, the reproducing device 40 can reproduce digital imagesignals on which spectrum-spread device intrinsic information issuperimposed.

In the same manner as the reproducing device 20 according to the firstembodiment, the reproducing device 40 detects the device intrinsicinformation superimposed on the digital image signals S12 read from thedisc 100 by carrying out inverse spectrum-spreading in the SS additionalinformation detecting section 23.

In other words, the SS additional information detecting section 23receives the supply of clock signals CLK and timing signals TM which aregenerated in the timing generator 24 and synchronized with synchronoussignals DS detected from the digital image signals 12, and thengenerates a PN code series for inverse-spreading having the same codepattern as the PN code series for spectrum-spreading the deviceintrinsic information D1 spectrum-spread and superimposed on the digitalimage signals S12, with their generating timing being consistent.

The SS additional information detecting section 23 carries our inversespectrum-spreading by using this PN code series for inverse-spreading,so as to detect the intrinsic information D1 superimposed on the digitalimage signals S12 from the signals S12. The device intrinsic informationD1 detected from the SS additional information detecting section 23 issupplied to the reproduction allowance/inhibition determining section25.

The system controller 200 reads the manufacturer's serial number of thereproducing device 40 from the ROM 202 which the system controller 200has, as the device intrinsic information D2, and then supplies this tothe reproduction allowance/inhibition determining section 25.

The reproduction allowance/inhibition determining section 25 determineswhether or not the device intrinsic information D1 superimposed on thedigital image signals S12 read from the disc 100 and supplied from theSS additional information detecting section 23 is consistent with thedevice intrinsic information D2 read from the ROM 202 by the systemcontroller 200 and then generates a control signal CT1 or CT2 accordingto the determined result, to supply it to the reproduction processingsection 26 and the indicative information generator 27.

In other words, when the device intrinsic information D1 from the SSadditional information detecting section 23 is consistent with thedevice intrinsic information D2 from the system controller 200, thereproduction allowance/prohibition determining section 25 concludes thatthe image signals recorded on the disc 100 are signals copied in theinformation signal recording/reproducing device having the recordingdevice 30 and the reproducing device 40 according to the secondembodiment, and then generates the control signal CT1 that reproductionis allowable to supply this to the reproduction processing section 26.

When the control signal CT1 from the reproduction allowance/prohibitiondetermining section 25 is the signal that reproduction is allowable, thereproduction processing section 26 performs a process for encoding thedigital image signals S12 and the like processes to generate and outputregenerative image signals.

When the reproduction allowance/prohibition determining section 25determines that the device intrinsic information D1 from the SSadditional information detecting section 23 is not consistent with thedevice intrinsic information D2 from the system controller 200, thereproduction allowance/prohibition determining section 25 concludes thatthe image signals recorded on the disc 100 are not signals reproduced inthe recording/reproducing device having the recording device 30 and thereproducing device 40, and then generates the control signal CT1 thatreproduction is prohibited and supplies this to reproduction processingsection 26. At the same time, the section 25 generates a control signalCT2 for displaying the fact that the digital signals recorded on therecording medium 100 cannot be reproduced on the LCD 29 and thensupplies this to the indicative information generator 27.

In this case, the reproduction processing section 26 does not permit thedigital image signals S12 to be reproduced. The indicative informationgenerator 27 receiving the supply of the control CT2 generates messageinformation that the image signals recorded on the recording medium 100may be signals copied in any other recording device and they cannot bereproduced, so as to display this on the LCD 29 through the LCD driver28.

As described above, when image signals are recorded in the secondembodiment, the device intrinsic information of the recording device isspectrum-spread and superimposed on the recorded image signals. When theimage signals are reproduced, the information signals cannot bereproduced in the case wherein the device intrinsic information of thereproducing device for reproduction is not consistent with the deviceintrinsic information spectrum-spread and superimposed on the imagesignals. Therefore, the image signals can be reproduced only in therecording/reproducing device by means of which the same image signalswere recorded.

Thus, the information signals recorded on the recording medium by usinguser's recording/reproducing device having the recording device 30 andthe reproducing device 40 can be reproduced only in the samerecording/reproducing device; therefore, the personal user can copy anduse the information signals for private use, but the information signalsunfairly copied on recording media by any other recording device cannotbe reproduced.

Accordingly, it is possible to effectively prevent unfair copying of theinformation signals for purpose of rent to the general public.

In the same manner as in the first embodiment, in the second embodimentan LED (Light Emitting Diode) and an LED driver may be disposed forinforming that image signals cannot be reproduced, and an OSD (On ScreenDisplay) or superimposing may be used to display information outputtedfrom the reproducing device 40 on a display and inform that imagesignals cannot be reproduced. Alternatively, a sound warning may begiven.

The Third Embodiment

In the third embodiment, for example, the recording device and thereproducing device are equipped with, for example, IC card readers, andinformation recorded on an IC card memory such as device ID, user ID, orrecording medium ID is used as information related to the device, forexample, the recording or reproducing device, instead of theaforementioned device intrinsic information. Namely, the information inthe IC card memory set into the card reader disposed at the recordingdevice or the reproducing device is used in the same manner as thedevice intrinsic information read from the ROM 202 in the secondembodiment.

In the same manner as in the first and second embodiments, in the thirdembodiment a recording device 50 or a reproducing device 60 which willbe in detail described later is a device such as a personal computerwhich can receive and transmit information signals through a networksuch as Internet. The recording device 50 and the reproducing device 60correspond to a recording system in the device such as a personalcomputer and a reproducing system in the same device, respectively.

In the recording device 50 and the reproducing device 60 according tothe third embodiment, therefore, the same reference numbers are attachedto the same structures/members in the recording devices 10 and 30, andthe reproducing device 20 and 40 according to the first and secondembodiments, and the explanation thereof will be made simple. In thesame manner as in the first embodiment, a recording disc 100 is a discsuch as a CD-ROM or a DVD, and information signals to be recorded andreproduced will be described as digital image signals.

Recording Device 50

FIG. 11 is a block diagram for explaining the recording device 50 in thethird embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the recording device 50 accordingto the third embodiment has an inputting terminal 11 for inputtinginformation signals, a copy preventing control information detectingsection 12, a timing generator 13, an SS additional generator 14, an SSadditional information superimposing section 15, a writing section 16and a system controller 200 for controlling the respective sections inthe recording device 30. To the system controller 200, a card reader 204is connected.

As described above, the recording device 50 is a device wherein the cardreader 204 is disposed at the recording device 30 according to thesecond embodiment. An IC card memory 300 is set to the card reader 204,and used. The IC card memory 300 is sold, for example, together with therecording device 50 and used, for example, as identifying data on a userwho is a buyer of the recording device 50.

When the user sets the IC card memory 300 in which the information isrecorded to the card reader 204 and then gives an instruction forstarting recording image signals through an operation key section 201connected to the system controller 200, the system controller 200controls the respective sections in the recording device 50 to startrecording supplied digital image information signals S1 on a disc 100.

In the same manner as in the recording devices 10 and 30 according tothe first and second embodiments, the digital image signals S1transmitted from a network such as Internet and received in therecording device 50 are supplied to the copy preventing controlinformation detecting section 12, the timing generator 13, and the SSadditional information superimposing section 15 in the recording device50.

In the copy preventing control information detecting section 12, thecopy preventing control information added to the digital image signalsS1 is detected and then the result is given to the system controller200.

When the copy preventing control information detected by means of thecopy preventing control information detecting section 12 indicates thatany copying is prohibited, the system controller 200 controls therespective sections in the recording device 50 not to record the digitalimage signals S1. When the copy preventing control information from thecopy preventing control information detecting section 12 indicates thatcopying is allowable, the system controller 200 controls the respectivesections in the recording device 50 to record the digital image signalsS1 on the recording medium 100.

When the digital signals S1 supplied to the recording device 50 aresignals allowable for copying, the system controller 200 controls thecard reader 204 to read ID information U1 from the IC card memory 300set to the card reader 204 and supply the ID information U1 to the SSadditional information generator 14.

As described above with reference to FIG. 2, the timing generator 13detects reference timing signals from the supplied digital image signalsS1, and generates timing signals TM and clock signals CLK for use in therespective sections in the recording device 50 according to the thirdembodiment, on the basis of the detected reference timing signals DK.

Namely, on the basis of the synchronous signals DK extracted from thedigital image signals S1 the timing generator 13 generates timingsignals TM and clock signals CLK in synchronization with the synchronoussignals.

As described above with reference to FIG. 3, the SS additionalinformation generator 14 has the PN code generator 141 and the multifier142. The spread spectrum signals (SSID information) SU1, which arespectrum-spread ID information, are generated by multiplying a PN codeseries PS generated, at every timing that the timing signal TM issupplied, from its head in synchronization with the clock signals CLK,and an ID information row U1R generated, at every timing that the timingsignal TM is supplied, by outputting the ID information U1 in such amanner that bits thereof corresponding to the predetermined number ofclocks are outputted in synchronization with the clock signals CLK. TheSU1 is supplied to the SS additional information superimposing section15.

The SS additional information superimposing section 15 generates digitalimage signals S2 by superimposing the digital SS ID information SU1 onthe digital image signals S1, and then supplies the signals S2 to thewriting section 16. The writing section 16 receives the supply of thedigital image signals S2 on which the digital SS ID information issuperimposed and then converts this into recording digital image signalssuitable for recording to write the recording digital image signals onthe recording medium 100. Thus, on the recording medium 100, recordedare the digital image signals on which the SS ID information SU1, whichis spectrum-spread ID information, is superimposed.

As describe above, when the supplied digital image signals are recordedon the disc 100, the recording device according to the third embodimentreads the ID information from the IC card memory 300 set to the cardreader 204, spectrum-spreads and superimposes this ID information on thedigital image signals S1 to be recorded, and then records the digitalimage signals S2 on which the spectrum-spread user-identifying data aresuperimposed on the disc 100.

Reproducing Device 60

The following will describe the reproducing device 60 according to thethird embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram for explaining the reproducing device 60 inthe third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 12, the reproducing device 60 hasa reading section 21, an SS additional detecting section 23, a timinggenerator 24, a reproduction allowance/prohibition determining section25, a reproduction processing section 25, an indicative informationgenerator 27, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) driver 28, an LCD 29 and asystem controller 200 for controlling the respective sections in thereproducing device 60. To the system controller 200, a card reader 204is connected.

As described above, the reproducing device 60 according to the thirdembodiment is a device wherein the card reader 204 is disposed at thereproducing device 40 according to the second embodiment. An IC cardmemory 300 is set to the card reader 204, and used in the same manner asin the aforementioned recording device 50.

In the same manner as in the reproducing devices 20 and 40 according tothe first and second embodiments, in the reproducing device 60 accordingto the third embodiment the SS additional information detecting section23 detects ID information U1 spectrum-spread and superimposed on thedigital image signals S12 by carrying out inverse spectrum-spreading.The ID information U1 detected by the SS additional informationdetecting section 23 is supplied to the reproductionallowance/prohibition determining section 25.

The system control 200 controls the card reader 204 which the systemcontroller 200 has, and then reads the ID information U2 from the ICcard memory 300 set to the card reader 204 to supply this information U2to the reproduction allowance/prohibition determining section 25.

The reproduction allowance/prohibition determining section 25 determineswhether or not the ID information U1 superimposed on the digital imagesignals read from the disc 100 and supplied from the SS additionalinformation detecting section 23 is consistent with the ID informationU2 read from the IC card memory 300 set to the card reader 204 bycontrol of the system controller 200, and then generates a controlsignal CT1 or CT2 according to the determined result to supply thissignal to the reproduction processing section 26 and the indicativeinformation generator 27.

In short, when the ID information U1 from the SS additional informationdetecting section 23 is consistent with the ID information U2 from thesystem controller 200, the reproduction allowance/prohibitiondetermining section 25 concludes that the instruction for reproductionis given by a possessor of the IC card memory used in recording, andthen generates the control signal CT1 that reproduction is allowable tosupply this signal to the reproduction processing section 26.

When the control signal CT1 from the reproduction allowance/prohibitiondetermining section 25 is a signal that reproduction is allowable, thereproduction processing section 26 generates regenerative image signalsby carrying out processes such as encoding process of the digital imagesignals S12, and then outputs these signals.

When the reproduction allowance/prohibition determining section 25determines that the ID information U1 from the SS additional informationdetecting section 23 is not consistent with the ID information U2 fromthe system controller 200, the section 25 concludes that the instructionfor reproduction is given by a person who is not the possessor of the ICcard used in recording, and then generates the control signal CT1 thatreproduction is prohibited to supply this signal to the reproductionprocessing section 26. At this time, the section 25 generates a controlsignal CT2 for displaying the fact that the digital signals recorded onthe recording medium 100 cannot be reproduced on the LCD 29 and thensupplies this to the indicative information generator 27.

In this case, the reproduction processing section 26 does not permit thedigital image signals S12 to be reproduced. The indicative informationgenerator 27 receiving the supply of the control CT2 generates messageinformation that the image signals recorded on the recording medium 100may be signals copied by any other users and they cannot be reproduced,so as to display this on the LCD 29 through the LCD driver 28.

As described above, in the third embodiment the ID information U1recorded on the IC card memory 300 when the image signals are recordedis read, spectrum-spread and then superimposed on the recorded imagesignals. When the image signals are reproduced, reproduction cannot becarried out if the ID information U1 read from the IC card memory 300set to the card reader 204 of the reproducing device is not consistentwith the ID information U2 spectrum-spread and superimposed on the imagesignals. Therefore, reproduction can be carried out only in the case ofusing the same IC card memory 300 in recording and reproducingprocesses.

Thus, information signals recorded on the medium by using the IC cardmemory 300 in the recording device 50 which the user has can bereproduced in any other reproducing device by setting the IC card memoryto the device and reproducing the signals.

Therefore, when the recording device 50 according to the thirdembodiment is used to record the information signals, reproduction canbe carried out by setting the IC card memory 300 used in recording tothe reproducing device 60 according to the third embodiment. Therecording medium on which the information signals are recorded by meansof the recording device 50 and the IC card memory 300 are used as apair, so that any reproducing device having the card reader 204 canreproduce the information signals recorded on the recording medium.Accordingly, information signals recorded on a recording medium at homecan be reproduced in any other place. Thus, a recording/reproducingsystem having appropriate flexibility can be constructed.

In this case an individual user can copy and use information signals forpersonal use. However, the IC card memory is necessary in reproducing,and consequently it is possible to effectively prevent unfair copying ofthe information signals and rent of the copied signals to the public.

In the same manner as in the first and second embodiments, in the thiedembodiment an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and an LED driver may bedisposed for informing that image signals cannot be reproduced, and anOSD (On Screen Display) or superimposing may be used to displayinformation outputted from the reproducing device 40 on a display andinform that image signals cannot be reproduced. Alternatively, a soundwarning may be given.

In the first, second and third embodiments, additional information, suchas medium intrinsic information, device intrinsic information and IDinformation, added to image signals, which are information signals, isspectrum-spread and superimposed.

However, the invention is not limited to such embodiments. Electricalwatermark information corresponding to additonal informationsuperimposed on information signals may be generated in any othermanner, so as to superimpose the watermark information on theinformation signals.

The Fourth Embodiment

In the fourth embodiment, medium intrinsic information is enciphered andthen it is added to information signals. The information signals towhich the enciphered medium intrinsic information is added are-recordedon a recording medium. When the information signals recorded on therecording medium are reproduced, the medium intrinsic informationenciphered and added to the information signals to be reproduced isdecoded. When the decoded medium intrinsic information is consistentwith the medium intrinsic information of the recording medium on whichthe information signals are recorded, reproduction is carried out.

In the fourth embodiment, a recording device 70 or a reproducing device80 which will be in detail described below is a device such as apersonal computer which can receive and transmit information signalsthrough a network such as Internet, in the same manner as in the firstembodiment. Therefore, in the recording and reproducing devices 70 and80, the same reference numbers are attached to the samestructures/elements as in the recording and reproducing devicesaccording to the aforementioned embodiments, and the explanation thereofwill be made simple.

In the same manner as in the first embodiment, a recording disc 100 is adisc such as a CD-ROM or a DVD, and information signals to be recordedand reproduced will be described as digital image signals in the samemanner in the aforementioned embodiments.

Recording Device 70

FIG. 13 is a block diagram for explaining the recording device 70 in thefourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, the recording device 70 has aninputting terminal 11 for inputting information signals, a copypreventing control information detecting section 12, a writing section16, a medium intrinsic information reading section 17, an encipheringsection 18 and a system controller 200 for controlling the respectivesections in the recording device 70.

When the user gives for starting reproducing the image signals throughan operation key section 201 connected to the system controller 200, thesystem controller 200 controls the respective sections in the recordingdevice 70 to start recording the supplied information signals on thedisc 100.

In the same manner as in the recording device according to theaforementioned embodiments, signal image signals S1 transmitted througha network such as Internet and received by the recording device 70 aresupplied to the copy preventing control information detecting section 12and the writing section 16 in the recording device 70.

The copy preventing control information detecting section 12 detects thecopy preventing control information according to the CGMS added to thedigital image signals S1 and informs the system control 200 of thedetected copy preventing control information.

When the copy preventing control information from the copy preventingcontrol information detecting section 12 indicates that any copying isprohibited, the system controller 200 controls the respective sectionsin the recording section 70 not to record the digital image signals S1.When the information from the copy preventing control informationdetecting section 12 indicates that copying is allowable, the systemcontroller 200 controls the respective sections in the recording device70 to record the digital image signals S1 on the recording medium 100.

When the digital image signals S1 are signals that are allowable forcopying, the medium intrinsic reading 17 reads a serial number recorded,for example, in the TOC of the disc 100, as medium intrinsic informationB1, and then supplies this to the enciphering section 18.

The enciphering section 18 enciphers the medium intrinsic information B1in a predetermined way, and then supplies the enciphered mediumintrinsic information to the writing section 16. In the presentembodiment, the writing section 16 adds the enciphered medium intrinsicinformation to the digital image signals to be recorded on the disc 100.Thus, the digital image signals to which the enciphered medium intrinsicinformation is added are recorded on the recording disc 100.

As described above, when supplied digital image signals are recorded onthe disc 100 in the recording device 70 according to the fourthembodiment, the medium intrinsic information of the disc 100 isenciphered, and then this enciphered information is added to the digitalimage signals to be recorded on the disc 100. The signals thus obtainedare recorded on the disc 100.

Reproducing Device 80

The following will describe the reproducing device 80 according to thefourth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram for explaining the reproducing device 80 inthe fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, the reproducing device 80has a reading section 21, a medium intrinsic information reading section22, a reproduction allowance/prohibition determining section 25, areproduction processing section 25, an indicative information generator27, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) driver 28, an LCD 29, a mediumintrinsic information decoder 32, and a system controller 200 forcontrolling the respective sections in the reproducing device 80.

Thus, the reproducing device 80 according to the fourth embodiment hasthe medium intrinsic information decoder 32 so that the imageinformation to which the enciphered medium intrinsic information isadded in the recording device 70 can be reproduced.

The reproducing device 40 according to the fourth embodiment suppliesthe digital image signals S12 from the reading section 21 to thereproduction processing section 26 and the medium intrinsic informationdecoder 32.

The medium intrinsic information decoder 32 decodes the encipheredmedium intrinsic information B1 added to the digital image signals S12in accordance with the enciphering way used in the recording device 70,and then supplies the decoded medium intrinsic information B1 to thereproduction allowance/prohibition determining section 25.

The medium intrinsic information reading section 22 reads the serialnumber of the disc 100, as medium intrinsic information B2, from thedisc 100, and then supplies the medium intrinsic information B2 to thereproduction allowance/prohibition determining section 25.

The reproduction allowance/prohibition determining section 25 determineswhether or not the medium intrinsic information B1 from the decoder 52is consistent with the medium intrinsic information B2 from the mediumintrinsic information reading section 22.

In the same manner as in the first embodiment, when the medium intrinsicinformation B1 from the decoder 32 is consistent with the mediumintrinsic information B2 from the medium intrinsic information readingsection 22, the reproduction allowance/prohibition determining section25 determines that the image signals recorded on the disc 100 aresignals properly copied, and then generates the control signal CT1 thatreproduction is allowable to supply this to the reproduction processingsection 26.

When the control signal CT1 from the reproduction allowance/prohibitiondetermining section 25 is a signal that reproduction is allowable, thereproduction processing section 26 carries out processes such as aprocess of decoding the digital image signals S12, and then generatesand outputs regenerative image signals.

When the medium intrinsic information B1 from the decoder 32 is notconsistent with the medium intrinsic information B2 from the mediumintrinsic information reading section 22, the reproductionallowance/prohibition determining section 25 concludes that the imagesignals recorded on the disc 100 are not signals properly copied andthen generates the control signal CT1 that reproduction is prohibited tosupply this signal to the reproduction processing section 26. At thesame time, the section 25 generates a control signal CT2 for displayingthe fact that the digital signals recorded on the recording medium 100cannot be reproduced on the LCD 29 and then supplies this to theindicative information generator 27.

In this case, the reproduction processing section 26 does not permit thedigital image signals S12 to be reproduced. The indicative informationgenerator 27 receiving the supply of the control signal CT2 generatesmessage information that the image signals recorded on the recordingmedium 100 cannot be reproduced, so as to display this on the LCD 29through the LCD driver 28.

As described above, in recording process in the fourth embodiment, themedium intrinsic information of the disc 100 on which the image signalsare to be recorded is enciphered, and then the enciphered mediumintrinsic information is added to the image signals to be recorded. Theresultant signals are recorded on the disc 100.

In reproducing process, only when the enciphered medium intrinsicinformation added to the image signals to be reproduced is decoded andthen the decoded medium intrinsic information is consistent with themedium intrinsic information of the disc on which the image signals tobe reproduced are recorded, reproduction is carried out.

In this case, the medium intrinsic information added to the recordedimage signals is enciphered; therefore, it cannot be altered easily.

In the same manner in the first embodiment, when in the fourthembodiment for copying for private use an individual user uses therecording device 70 to record image signals that are allowable forcopying, the medium intrinsic information superimposed on theinformation signals to be recorded on the disc is consistent with themedium intrinsic information of the disc on which the informationsignals are recorded. When the image signals are not signals copied inan ordinary manner in the recording device 70, the medium intrinsicinformation superimposed on the information signals recorded on the discis not consistent with the medium intrinsic information of the disc onwhich the information signals are recorded.

Thus, it is impossible to reproduce other signals than the image signalscopied in an ordinary manner by using the recording device 70, in thereproducing device 80, thereby preventing unfair copying.

In the fourth embodiment, the medium-related information is used.However, in the same manner as in the second and third embodiments, thedevice intrinsic information and the ID information recorded in the ICcard memory may be enciphered and then the enciphered information may beadded to the image signals to be recorded on the disc.

In the case, the enciphered device intrinsic information oruser-identifying data may be decoded in the reproducing device. When theuser-identifying data stored in the IC cad memory are used, card readersmay be disposed at the recording device 70 and the reproducing device80.

In the same manner as in the aforementioned embodiment, in the fourthembodiment an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and an LED driver are disposedfor informing that image signals cannot be reproduced, and an OSD (OnScreen Display) or superimposing is used to display informationoutputted from the reproducing device 40 on a display and inform thatimage signals cannot be reproduced. Alternatively, a sound warning maybe given.

Variations

In the first, second and third embodiments, the medium intrinsicinformation, the device intrinsic information, the ID information andthe like are spectrum-spread or enciphered to be superimposed or addedto information signals. However, the present invention is not limited tosuch manners.

In the case, for example, wherein image signals are recorded on arecording medium, additional information for being added to the imagesignals to be recorded is generated on the basis of, for example, themedium intrinsic information and then the generated additionalinformation is added to the image regenerative signals. The resultantsignals are recorded in the recording medium such a disc. When the imagesignals recorded on the recording medium in this manner are reproduced,the additional information added to the image signals are detected, onthe basis of the medium intrinsic information obtained when the imagesignals are reproduced.

When the medium intrinsic information obtained in recording is differentfrom the medium intrinsic information obtained in reproduction, avariation of the present invention may be constructed so that theadditional information generated and added on the basis of the mediumintrinsic information in recording cannot be detected from theinformation signals to be reproduced. Thus, the information signals canbe reproduced only when the additional information is detected from theinformation signals to be reproduced.

In such a manner as above, when image signals are recorded, the mediumintrinsic information obtained at that time may be used as a key forgenerating additional information to be added to the image signals. Onthe other hand, when the image signals are reproduced, the mediumintrinsic information obtained at that time may be used as a key fordetecting the additional information added to the image signals to bereproduced.

In, for example, the fourth embodiment, the medium intrinsic informationis enciphered; however, additional information may be generated on themedium intrinsic information to add the generated additional informationto image signals to be recorded.

Namely, in the enciphering section 18 in the enciphering device 70 shownin FIG. 13, the medium intrinsic information B1 from the mediumintrinsic information reading section 17 is used as an enciphering keyto encipher it. Thus, additional information is generated. The generatedadditional information is then supplied to the writing section 16 andadded to image signals to be recorded on the disc 100. The image signalsto which the additional information is added are recorded on the disc100.

On the other hand, in the reproducing device 80, shown in FIG. 14, forreproducing the image signals recorded on the disc 100 in the recordingdevice 70, the medium intrinsic information B2 from the medium intrinsicinformation reading section is supplied to the medium intrinsicinformation decoder 32. In this medium intrinsic information decoder 32,the medium intrinsic information B2 is used as a decoding key to decodeit. By this decoding process, a process is performed for detecting theadditional information added to the image signals S12, and then theresult obtained from the detecting process is given for notice to thereproduction allowance/prohibition determining section 25.

The reproduction allowance/prohibition determining section 25 controlsthe reproduction processing section 26 to reproduce the image signalswhen the additional information is detected with reference to the resultsupplied from the medium intrinsic information decoder 32, while thesection 25 controls the reproduction processing section 25 not toreproduce the image signals when the additional information is notdetected.

When the additional information is not detected so as not to reproducethe image signals in the aforementioned case, a message that the imagesignals are not reproduced may be displayed or a sound warning maybegiven. Of course, at this time the image signals recorded on the discmay be erased.

In this context, the case of using the medium intrinsic information wasexplained as an example; however, the device intrinsic information, theID information can be used as a key for generating additionalinformation added to image signals, or a key for detecting additionalinformation added to image signals.

In such a manner as above, a variation of the invention can beconstructed so that in recording process additional information isgenerated on the basis of information on the recording medium, such asthe medium intrinsic information, information on the device, such as thedevice intrinsic information, or ID information recorded on the IC cardmemory, and then the additional information is added to image signalsand recorded on the recording medium, while in reproducing process theadditional information added to the image signals is detected on thebasis of the information on the recording medium, such as the mediumintrinsic information, the information on the device, such as the deviceintrinsic information, or the ID information recorded on the IC cardmemory.

The same information signal erasing section as in the reproducing device20 according to the first embodiment may be added to the reproducingsection 40, 60 or 80 according to the second, third or fourthembodiment, so that information signals unfairly copied will be erased.

When the aforementioned recording/reproducing device comprising therecording device 10 and the reproducing device 20 is formed, the mediumintrinsic information reading section 17 and 22 can be composed of asingle circuit so that the circuit will be used commonly in therecording and reproducing devices. In the same manner, when theaforementioned recording/reproducing device comprising the recordingdevice 50 and the reproducing device 60 is formed, the single cardreader 204 may be used commonly in the recording and reproducingdevices.

In the respective embodiments, the information signals to be recordedand reproduced are image signals but are not limited to the imagesignals. In the present invention, there can be used sound signals,program data and other various information signals. Furthermore, theinformation signals are not limited to digital signals, and may beanalog signals.

In the aforementioned embodiments, the recording and reproducing devicesare personal computers, but are not limited to the computers. Theinvention can be applied to various recording devices, reproducingdevices and recording/reproducing devices such as DVDs, VTRs, and taperecorders.

The recording medium is not limited to discs such as CD-ROMs or DVDs,but may be any one of various recording media such as small-sizedmagnetic optical discs called MDs, optical discs, magnetic tapes ormagnetic discs.

In the first embodiment, the serial number recorded in the TOC of thedisc 100 is used as the medium intrinsic information. However, inrecording media which are used in the situation that they are put incases, for example, MDs, video tapes or floppy discs, the cases in whichthe recording media are put may be equipped with memories for memorizinginformation on the recording media, or information on data recorded onthe recording media.

Of course, in the case wherein the case in which the recording medium isput is equipped with the memory for memorizing the information on therecording medium, the information memorized in the memory may be used asthe information on the recording medium.

As described above, the present invention makes it possible to reproduceinformation signals copied in an ordinary manner without any problem,and not to reproduce information signals copied in other manner than theordinary manner, thereby preventing unfair copying of the informationsignals other than copying for private use.

The invention also makes it impossible to deteriorate informationsignals by the medium intrinsic information nor easily alter the mediumintrinsic information since the medium intrinsic information, asadditional information, added to the information signals isspectrum-spread and superimposed on the information signals.

The invention also makes it possible to add the medium intrinsicinformation as a so-called electrical watermark to information signalsin various manners, and detect the electrical watermark added to theinformation signals to be used. Since the medium intrinsic informationis a very low level signal, the medium intrinsic information does notdeteriorate the information signals and further the medium intrinsicinformation cannot be easily altered.

The invention also makes it impossible to easily carry out unfairalteration of medium intrinsic information superimposed on informationsignals with ease because the medium intrinsic information can beenciphered and superimposed on the information signals.

The invention also makes it possible to prevent unfair copying ofinformation signals, as well as not to use information signals unfairlycopied.

The invention also makes it possible to know that information signalsare not reproduced because the medium intrinsic information superimposedor added to the information signals is different from the mediumintrinsic information of the recording medium on which the informationsignals are recorded. Thus, the inventions makes it possible that whenthe information signals are not reproduced, any user does not mistakethe reason that the signals are not reproduced for trouble of thereproducing device, or the like trouble

What is claimed is:
 1. An information signal recording device forrecording information signals on a recording medium having thereon anarea different from an area for recording the information signals and inwhich medium-related information intrinsic to the recording medium isrecorded, or having a unit accompanying the recording medium in whichthe medium-related information intrinsic to the recording medium isrecorded, the recording device comprising: medium-related informationreading means for reading the medium-related information including aserial number intrinsic to the individual recording medium from a tableof contents in one of the recording medium and the unit accompanying therecording medium; information adding means for adding the medium-relatedinformation read by the medium-related information reading means to theinformation signals; and recording means for recording the informationsignals to which the medium-related information has been added by theinformation adding means on the recording medium.
 2. The informationsignal recording device according to claim 1, wherein the informationadding means comprises spreading means for spectrum-spreading themedium-related information from the medium-related information readingmeans, and means for superimposing the medium-related informationspectrum-spread by the spreading means on the information signals to berecorded.
 3. The information signal recording device according to claim1, wherein the information adding means comprises signal levelconverting means for converting the medium-related information from themedium-related information reading means into a minute level signal, andmeans for adding the medium-related information converted into theminute level signal by the signal level converting means to theinformation signals to be recorded.
 4. The information signal recordingdevice according to claim 1, wherein the information adding meanscomprises enciphering means for enciphering the medium-relatedinformation from the medium-related information reading means, and meansfor adding the medium-related information enciphered by the encipheringmeans to the information signals to be recorded.
 5. The informationsignal recording device according to claim 1, wherein said informationadding means comprises: means for providing a code; and means forsuperimposing the medium-related information from the medium-relatedinformation reading means on the information signals using said code. 6.An information signal recording device for recording information signalson a recording medium having formed thereon an area different from anarea for recording the information signals and in which medium-relatedinformation intrinsic to the recording medium is recorded, or having aunit accompanying the recording medium in which the medium-relatedinformation intrinsic to the recording medium is recorded, the recordingdevice comprising: medium-related information reading means for readingthe medium-related information including a serial number intrinsic tothe individual recording medium from a table of contents in one of therecording medium and the unit accompanying the recording medium;additional information converting means for converting additionalinformation on the basis of the medium-related information from themedium-related information reading means; information adding means foradding the additional information converted by the additionalinformation converting means to the information signals; and recordingmeans for recording the information signals to which the additionalinformation has been added by the information adding means on therecording medium.
 7. The information signal recording device accordingto claim 6, wherein the additional information converting meanscomprises means for enciphering the additional information by using themedium-related information from the medium-related information readingmeans.
 8. An information signal recording method for recordinginformation signals on a recording medium having thereon an areadifferent from an area for recording the information signals and inwhich medium-related information intrinsic to the individual recordingmedium is recorded or having a unit accompanying the recording medium inwhich the medium-related information intrinsic to the individualrecording medium is recorded, the method comprising the steps of:reading the medium-related information including a serial numberintrinsic to the individual recording medium from a table of contents inone of the recording medium and the unit accompanying the recordingmedium; adding the medium-related information read in said step ofreading to, the information signals; and recording on the recordingmedium the information signals to which the medium-related informationhas been added by said step of adding.
 9. The information signalrecording method according to claim 8, wherein said step of addingcomprises the steps of: spectrum-spreading the medium-relatedinformation from said step of reading; and superimposing themedium-related information spectrum spread by said step ofspectrum-spreading on the information signals to be recorded.
 10. Theinformation signal recording method according to claim 8, wherein saidstep of adding comprises the steps of: converting the medium-relatedinformation from said step of reading into a minute signal level; andadding the medium-related information converted into the minute levelsignal by said step of converting to the information signals to berecorded.
 11. The information signal recording method according to claim8, wherein said step of adding comprises the steps of: enciphering themedium-related information from said step of reading; and adding theenciphered medium-related information from said step of enciphering tothe information signals to be recorded.
 12. The information signalrecording method according to claim 8, wherein said step of addingcomprises the steps of: providing a code; and superimposing themedium-related information from said step of reading on said informationsignals using said code.
 13. An information signal recording method forrecording information signals on a recording medium having formedthereon an area different from an area for recording the informationsignals and in which medium-related information intrinsic to theindividual recording medium is recorded or having a unit accompanyingthe recording medium in which the medium-related information intrinsicto the individual recording medium is recorded, the method comprisingthe steps of: reading the medium-related information including a serialnumber intrinsic to the individual recording medium from a table ofcontents of one of the recording medium and the unit accompanying therecording medium; converting additional information on the basis of themedium-related information from said step of reading; adding theadditional information converted by said step of converting to theinformation signals; and recording on the recording medium theinformation signals to which the additional information has been addedby said step of adding.
 14. The information signal recording methodaccording to claim 13, wherein said step of converting comprises thestep of converting comprises the step of enciphering the additionalinformation by using the medium-related information from said step ofreading.
 15. The information signal recording method according to claim13, wherein said step of adding comprises the steps of: providing acode; and superimposing the medium-related information from said step ofreading on the information signal using said code.